Background: This study was to exam the effect of weigh reduction on the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis and obesity.
Methods: The participants of this study were 15 women with osteoarthritis and obesity who visitied the Hanyang University Hospital Rhematology Department. Data were collected for 2 years from 2003 to 2004. Weight, height, abdominal circumference, and BMI were measured before and after obesity therapy program which consisted of medical and behavior therapy. And also KWOMAC (Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) and KSF-36 (Korean Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form) were used as a Health-related quality of life instrument.
Results: In use of KWOMAC, total KWOMAC score before and after treatment showed no significant change (34.00 ± 16.52 (10~60) vs 27.13 ± 24.71 (10~ 49)) but pain showed significant change (6.50 ± 3.38 (1~11) vs 5.13 ± 3.27 (1~10), P < 0.05). In use of KSF-36, Global score before and after treatment showed no significant change (49.43 ± 5.25 (38.8~56.4) vs 57.62 ± 8.10 (50.3~65.8)) but bodily pain (36.25 ± 21.34 (30~70) vs 33.75 ± 13.03 (20~50), P < 0.05) and mental health (47.50 ± 20.33 (16~84) vs 62.00 ± 10.69 (48~80), P < 0.05) showed significant changes.
Conclusion: According to the result of this study, in treatment of patients with osteoarthritis and obesity, weigh reduction improved the quality of life.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Obesity, Quality of life